The Case of Hatra in the Iraqi Jazira

“Unsettling” normal archaeological practice; rebuilding what decades ago were engaged communities of interest pivoted in touristic networks, now collapsed, and promoting the well-being of the same community; all this, the name of what today is commonly called “public archaeology”. The post-conflict contexts of Iraq, a nation that until 30 years ago was the most important touristic hub of the Near East, are mandatory test trials for archaeological projects that, so far, were more simply following the lead of their own scientific and academic priorities. Can archaeology promote very factual actions for safeguarding material culture and heritage hit by international conflicts, developing positive links with local groups with precise economical expectations, without losing sight of the need to pursue important scientific goals?. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2024, corrected publication 2025.